Decimal counting device and stepping unit therefor



R. E. WELLS July 4 1967 3 Sheets- Sheet l July 4, 1967 R. WELLS 3,329,805

DECIMAL COUNTING DEVICE AND STEPPING UNIT THEREFOR Filed Sept. 23, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 july 4, 1967 R, E, WELLS 3,329,805

DECIMAL COUNTING DEVICE AND STEPPING UNIT THEREFOR Filed Sept. 23. 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O 3,329,805 DECIMAL CUNTING DEVICE AND STEPPING UNIT THEREFOR Roy Ernest Wells, Seaforth, New South Wales, Australia,

assgnor to Electra Totalisators Pty. Limited, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia, a corporation of New South Wales Filed Sept. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 310,711 6 Claims. (Cl. 23S-92) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electrical counter stepping unit having a magnet, armature and driven calibrated drum, wherein electrical signalling of value indicated is effected by different groups of contacts, and the armature carries contacts and an actuator momentarily engaged by a projection on the drum when the armature is off-normal, and a decimal counter composed of a plurality of these stepping units each receiving individual driving `signals representative of respective values and also transfer signals from lower order stepping units in the counter with a two-positional ag indicating half values and connected by transfer link to signal au associated stepping unit.

This invention relates to decimal counting devices, and stepping units therefor, for recording values indicated by electrical signals applied thereto, and more particularly to such devices providing a visual indication of the progressive total value.

Many devices are known which will perform this function if the applied signals are representative of a single value; or in a case where different values are to be recorded, a certain number of signals are applied for each value corresponding to the relationship of the value to lbe recorded to a basic value.

The application of a decimal counting device, particularly one with provision for visual indication of the recorded total, is most advantageous to racecourse totalisator systems so that a continuous indication is given of the total of the individual values recorded by the equipment l during the course of betting tr-ansactions. However, the difficulty which arises in applying such a device to this equipment is that most totalisators accept wagers of different money values and to avoid excessive complexity it is usual to utilize similar electrical conditions, such as a single marking potenti-al for each different value. To facilitate discrimination between signals representative of different values it is usual to provide separate signalling paths so that signals representative of one money value are kept separate from signals representative of any other money value.

It is a main object of this invention to provide a decimal counting device incorporating visual indication of the progressive computed total which will accept input signals representative of different money values.

It is also a main object of the invention to provide a stepping unit'for the decimal counting device of such a construction that it may be duplicated throughout the device so that each unit counts a respective `digit of the recorded total.

It is a further object to provide a decimal counting device which besides providing visual indication of the progressive total also provides for the transmission of electrical signals indicative of the total computed.

The invention, therefore, provides a decimal counting device comprising a plurality of stepping units, each unit serving to record a respective digit of the computed total, each stepping unit having a rotatable indication drum,

ice

an electromagnetic device -associated with said drum, an armature for each electromagnetic device, stepping means connected with each armature for rotating step by step its respective drum, and calibrations upon each drum for visually indicating the value of the respective digit in the computed total, said counting device also comprising at least one two-positional reciprocating element, separate receiving circuits each individual to input signals representative of a different one of a plurality of input values, operative input connections between said receiving cir cuits and respective ones of said stepping units and said two-positional reciprocating elements, Iand operative transfer connections between any one of said stepping units, excepting the one recording the digit of highest order of the total, and the stepping unit recording the digit of next higher order of thel total.

The invention also provides a stepping unit for a decimal counting device comprising a frame, an electromagnet on the frame, a shaft rotatable on the frame, an armature for the electromagnet, means connecting the armature with the shaft for rotating the shaft step-by-step with each energization and release function of the electromagnet, a calibrated drum ou the shaft visually indicating a value representative of the stepped position of the shaft, ixed contacts for connection to remote equipment, contact wipers rotatable with said shaft to close at least one of said contacts upon stepping of said shaft to transmit electrical signals indicative of the said value.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a stepping unit constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the stepping unit shown in FIG. l; and

FIG. 3 shows a row of stepping units arranged as a decimal counting device also according to this invention.

The application in which the decimal counting device is `described hereafter is with accumulating equipment associated with a totalisator system designed to receive betting wagers in units of four different money values, viz. $2, $5, $10 and $50. Whereas the description will clearly explain the construction of the device and its function in respect of this application, it should be understood that it is equally applicable to totalisator systems capable of accepting wagers at other than these unit values. One such system within this latter category is the Automatic Bookmaker Machine described in copending application No. 146,389, now Patent 3,248,525. In that instance the value of any wager can be determined by the customer and the system so designed to express the money value wagered in terms of signals -according to a code having elements in the relationship of l, 2, 4, 5, l0.

20 and 40. Thus any value of money, in even amounts' could be expressed lby this code with provision for decimal multiplication to convert the value from units to tens, hundreds, thousands of pounds, dollars etc. A money value of $6 or 6 would be expressed by a 4 element and a 2 element, while a money value of $9 or 9 would be expressed by the code in terms of a 5 element and a 4 element. A somewhat different relationship between the elements exists in this code as compared with the `present code having elements of 2, 5, l0 and 50, but by modification of the device suitable provision could be made to convert the device from one use to the other.

With reference to the drawings the counting device of the present invention consists of a battery of five step-ping units 4 arranged in juxtaposition in a single column. Each stepping unit 4 comprises an electromagnet 5 screwed upon a metal base plate 6 which is formed as a bent limb 7 upon a box shaped metal casing 8. The top 9 and one side 10 of the casing 8 are open so that the electromagnet 5 is enclosed on three sides and from beneath. An armature plate 11 is pivoted upon a spindle 12 passing between opposite sides 13 and 14 of the casing 8 and has a bell crank section 15 one arm 16 of which is engaged by a helical spring 17 anchored at its other end to a tab 18 formed in the casing 3 near its open side 10. The spring 17 provides bias upon the armature 11 so that it is normally displaced under lthe spring tension, from a metal pole piece 19- passing through the electromagnet 5.

A shaft 20 is rotatably mounted between the edge portion of the casing 8 at its open side 10 with a ratchet wheel 21 at one of its ends. A lateral extension 22 is formed on the outer end of the armature 11 which terminates in confronting jaws 23a and 23b coacting with the ratchet Wheel 21 to provide for step-by-step rotation of the shaft 20 with repeated attraction and release functions of the armature 11 under the magnetic influence of the electromagnet 5. An opposite lateral extension 24 is fformed on the end 25 of the armature 11 which carries a finger 26 associated with one or more contact spring sets 27a and 27h mounted upon the side 13 of the casing 8 to effect, by movement of the armature 11, making and breaking of the contacts of the spring sets 27a and 27b.

A calibrated drum 28 is mounted upon the shaft 20 adjacent the ratchet wheel 21 and has its periphery formed with multiple adjacent flats 29 upon which calibrations such as numerals 30 are depicted. These numerals 30 are arranged in such a progression order that with normal step-by-step rotation of the shaft 20 the numerals 30 indicated at any particular point of rotation of the drum 28 are increasing in value within any particular sequence, although in a complete revolution of the drum 28, and therefore shaft 20, -there may be more than one sequence of numerals 30. The individual stepping units 4 thus each provide for counting of respective digits of an indicated total and are arranged in line as shown in FIG. 3 so that by reading from lef-t to right a total value, representing the computed total of recorded wagers may be read off from the calibrated drums 28. To assist in the reading of the total an escutcheon plate 31 is hingeably mounted in front of the line of stepping units 4 and is provided with windows 32, each of which corresponds in position to a respective viewing point for the calibrations of each drum 28. As shown in FIG. 3 the escutcheon plate has been swung to its open, inspection, position. Interconnection between the stepping units 4 is by electrical signalling connections which will be described in greater detail hereafter.

Signalling from one 4stepping unit to an adjacent stepping unit indicating a digit of the total of `a higher order is preferably facilitated by a spring set of change-over contacts 33 carried upon the armature 11 of each stepping unit 4 with the actuating change-over .arm 34 of the spring set 33 extending above the calibrated drum 28. A tab 35 extending from the periphery of the drum 28 is so located as to contact and lift the actuating change-over arm 34 when the a-rmature 11 and drum 28` move to step from the highest value numeral 30 of a sequence displayed to -t-he lowest value numeral 30` to commence a fresh sequence or to recommence the same sequence. Upon release of the electromagnet 5 completion of the stepping function is achieved and the armature 11 will `restore and lift the arm 34 off the tab 35. This action will cause momentary change-over of the contacts 33 by which means signalling to the succeeding stepping unit may be achieved. It should be .appreciated that a momentary pulsing of contacts 33 is important in order to achieve attraction and release of the armature 11 of the succeeding stepping unit 4 for correct registration of a unit of higher order. If the contacts 33 are maintained closed in the final stepped position of the stepping unit 4 a pulse generator would be required to achieve a complete step in the higher order stepping unit and thus indicate in the decimal counter the correct summated total. The present arrangement is far simpler and reliable.

With reference to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the normally open pair of contacts 39 of spring set 27a are connected to one side to potential and on their other side to the change-over arm 34 of contacts 33. The fixed contact 37 normally making with the arm 34 will thus be connected to perform some function for which a separate transmitted signal for each step of the shaft 20 is required while the opposite fixed Vcontact 38 is connected to other circuitry, not shown, yresponding to completion of a calibrated sequence. This particular provision is one way in which conversion say from a 2 element, or a 4 element, to a 5 element of a code can be accomplished. However, other contacts or other interconnections may be employed.

Varieus forms of associated electrical apparatus may be used with this decimal counting -device to provide for routing of incoming signals as well as internal transfer signals and an example of such apparatus is described and claimed in copending patent application No. 146,389 now Patent 3,248,525. The principal function of such apparatus is Ito provide appropriate signalling paths f-or input signals representative of money values wagered by punters. The paths will be automatically switching between several components of the counting device depending upon the state of their operation so that signals -representative of the same value may be applied to different parts of the device at different times. Some of the important functions to be .achieved by the 'associated apparatus are holding the registration of an input signal until all functions are completed a-nd then restoring the circuitry to normal, clearing the input signal line after registration of the bet, switching input signalling paths depending upon `a binary notation of 5, 50 etc., elements of the code registered, conversion of the total computed from signalling of one element of the code into terms of a higher element of the code, and cancellations of the total recorded and thus reversion of the apparatus to normal after use.

The spring set 27b is shown by FIG. 2 to have separate pairs of normally closed contacts 40 and 41 which are shun-t connected mainly for security purposes to safeguard against false operation. These contacts 40 and 41 are operated by the armature 11 in the released condition of the electromagnet 5 and open each time the armature 11 is attracted to the electromagnet 5, so thatfthey may be utilized to transmit a potential back through the associated apparatus to restore the components to normal in readiness for receipt of another input signal. The normally closed contacts 42 of spring set 27a may be used for homing purposes of the stepping units 4. With each attraction of the armature 11 they will open to release the electromagnet 5 and complete the stepping. They will thus be supplied with potential from an external source whenever homing is desired.

The counting device also has facility for transmitting to remote equipment certain electrical conditions indica- -tive of a particular numerical value corresponding to the calibration indicated upon each stepping unit 4. This is achieved by the provision of a contact wiper cylinder 42 preferably of an electrically conductive metal fixed upon but electrically insulated from the shaft 20 and hence rotatable with the calibrated drum 28. In the present form of the invention five annular axially spaced metal anges 43a, 43b, 43e, 43d and 43e are formed upon the contact cylinder 42. Parts of most of these flanges are cut away to leave small lug-like radical projections 44 arranged in a predetermined sequence so that at any particular angu- -lar position of rotation of the cylinder 42 a different combination of projections is present, corresponding to the calibrated steps of the shaft 20. A bank of five k-nife contacts 45a, 45h, 45C, 45d and 45e are secured to the casing 8 and lie adjacent the periphery of the -contact wiper cylinder 42 `so that each pair of knife contacts 45 is wiped by a respective projection 44 on the cylinder 42. Passage of a projection 44 between the jaws of its respective contact 45 results in its electrical contact with the contact 45 and this condition is relayed to remote equipment by suitable electrical leads. A respective electrical condition is therefore created by the contact wiper cylinder 42 individual to each calibrated setting of the drum 28 and shaft 20 by making of a different group of the knife contacts 45. These different electrical conditions may be used in any desired fashion to convey to suitable apparatus the progressive total computed by the4 decimal counting device. This arrangement of different grouping of marked contacts corresponding to respective values indicated visually by the drum, does not require any registering and counting apparatus as would be necessary if identical pulses were transmitted with stepping of the unit 4.

Preferably the contact wiper cylinder 42 is constructed of a plurali-ty, in the present instance live, keyed washers 46 upon whose periphery sui-table projections 44 are formed which are mounted upon the shaft 20y and separated by cylindrical spaces 47 of lesser diameter and tightened together to form a robust assembly.

As a practical example of the construction of the shaft 20 and associated drum 28 and contact wiper cylinder 42 `and knife contacts 45, it will be assumed that input signals representative of .a 1 value are applied to the stepping unit 4. Receipt of each signal will then cause the electromagnet 5 to step the shaft 20 on one step at a time. The shaft 20 will thus have ten -rotational positions which will be indicated by the calibrations on the drum 28 as ranging from 0 to 9. Each position of the shaft 20 will provide a visual indication corresponding to a computed total Iof the number of input signals received. Electrical signalling of this total will be effected through making of certain ones of the knife contacts 45. One contact 45e will be connected to local potential and the Wiper 43e associated with this contact will be a continuous annular fiange so that potential is always supplied to the wiper cylinder 42. The other four contacts 45u-45d will be representative of 1, 2, 4 and 5 values, respectively, and their assiociated wiper projections 44 will be arranged with respect to the various positions of the shaft 20 so that the marking potential normally on the wiper cylinder 42 is applied through the wiped contacts 45 to the remote equipment according -to a predetermined grouping of contacts, such Calibrated position of shaft 20: Marked contacts The counting device of this invention as applied in the foregoing description to .a totalisator system capable of receiving stakes of $2, $5, and $50, is provided with five windows 32 so that a total involving tens of thousands of doll-ars may be indicated. The stepping unit 4 corresponding to the units digit of the total is on the right hand end of the line of stepping units as viewed from the escutcheon plate 31 and in the preferred form the drum 28 individual to the units digit values is calibrated in the sequence of 2, 4, l, 3, 0, 2, 4, l, 3, 0 for the cornplete rotation of the drum 28.

From the foregoing description of the functioning of each stepping unit 4, it will be appreciated that a full reciprocating movement of the armature 11 is necessary to provide complete stepping of the drum 28 and shaft 20 from one calibrated position to another. Thus registration of a stake by the stepping units 4 requires a momentary electric pulse.

It is necessary, therefore, that signals representative of a $2 bet be applied to the electromagnet 5 associated with the units digit stepping unit 4 and then be disconnected to complete the stepping function. This is achieved by passing the input signal corresponding to a $2 bet through associated electrical apparatus preferably employing two-positional devices and thence into the counting device, and in turn sending a return signalling pulse t-o restore the apparatus and thus release the electromagnet 5 of the respective stepping Iunit 4. This will result in the stepping of the drum 28 and its associated contact wiper cylinder 42 into the next position of its operating sequence, thereby providing visual indication of the recording of a $2 amount. In a similar manner recording of a $10 bet may be recorded and indicated upon the adjacent tens digit stepping unit 4.

Provision is also made for registering and indicating in the counting device stakes of $5 and $50 which, as previously stated, are represented by a single electrical signal and hence cannot be applied directly to the electromagnets 5 as described in connection with the $2 and $10 value bets. By the invention, however, this is achieved through the provision of individual shutters or flags 48 and 49 displaceably mounted behind further windows 50 in the escutcheon plate 30. It is intended that these flags 48 and 49 be normally concealed from sight and be displaced into viewing position upon receipt of a respective "signal representative of a $5 or $50 value. A An input signal representative of say $5 is applied to a solenoid, not shown, which upon operation moves an individual iiag 48 into viewing position, or if already in viewing position, withdraws the fiag 48 and applies the signal to the electromagnet 5 of the tens digit stepping unit 4. In a similar manner operation of the flag 48 can be effected as well by the stepping of the units digit drum 28 from the end of one sequence to the `start of another, such as from calibration 4 to calibration 1, or from calibration 3 to calibration 0. Transmission of these latter signals is effected by suitable positioning of the peripheral tabs 35 lon the drum 28 to change over the contacts 33 carried by the armature 11.

It will be appreciated that computation of both $5 values and $50 values is performed according to a binary notation and for this purpose bi-stable solenoids are preferred. Initial energization of the solenoid will cause display of the respective flag 48 or 49 to indicate that a $5 value or $50 value should be added to the otherwise indicated total, and the next signal received will cause stepping -of the drum 28 indicating the digit of higher order in the total-and withdrawal of the ag 48 or 49. In effect, therefore, the counting device functions both as a binary counter and a decimal counter with conversion of the values computed by the former into terms of the latter, so that a grand total is obtained expressed principally according to the decimal system.

What I claim-is:

1. A stepping unit for a .decimal counting device comprising a frame, an electromagnet on the frame, a shaft rotatable on the frame, an armature 4for the electromagnet, means connecting the armature with the shaft for rotating the shaft step-by-step, each individual complete step of said shaft requiring a reciprocating movement of said armature from a normal position to an off-normal position and return, a calibrated drum on the shaft visually indicating a Value representative of the stepped position of the shaft, a projection rotatable with said shaft, a contact spring set carried upon the armature, an actuator for said contact spring set also carried by said armature and located in the off-normal position of said armature in the path of movement of said projection for momentary engagement therewith, lsaid engagement producing momentary closure of said contacts to signal a predetermined rotation of said shaft and calibrated drum.

2. A stepping unit according to claim 1, having a plurality of fixed contacts for connection to remote equipment, a plurality of electrically connected contact wipers rotatable With said shaft to engage and mark respective fixed contacts, the rotational angular relationship of the 7 wipers being such that a different group of said contacts is marked at each different step of said shaft during asingle rotation thereof to indicate electrically said value visually indicated by said drum.

3. A stepping unit according to claim 2, wherein said Wipers are formed on an electrically conductive cylinder rotated by said shaft, and one of said contact wipers is an annular member on said cylinder and continuously in contact with the respective one of said fixed contacts, and the other ones of said contact wipers are projections on said cylinder.

4. A decimal counting device comprising a plurality of stepping units each unit serving to record a respective digit of the computed total, each stepping unit having a rotatable indication drum, an electromagnetic device associated with said drum, an armature for each electromagnetic device, stepping means connected with each armature for rotating step by step its respective drum, and calibrations upon each drum for visually indicating the value of the respective digit in the computed total, said counting device also comprising a two-positional iiag member, a transfer connection between said flag member and one of said stepping units, separate receiving circuits each individual to input signals representative of a different one of a plurality of input values, input connections between said receiving circuits and respective ones of said stepping units and said two-positional flag member, the input value assigned to said two-positional flag member by its respective input connection being half the input value assigned to said one of said stepping units, said two-positional flag member being movable by a rst input signal appliedthereto to a position visually indicating a single unit of its assigned input and being movable from said indicating position upon receipt of a second input signal applied thereto to transmit over said transfer connection a stepping signal to advance one step said one of said stepping units, and Ifurther ltransfer connections between each of said stepping units and the stepping unit recording the digit of next higher order of the total.

5. A decimal counting device comprising a plurality of stepping units each unit serving to record a respective digit -of the computed total, each stepping unit having a rotatable indication drum, an electromagnetic device associated with said drum, an armature for each electromagnetic device, stepping `means connected with each armature for rotating step by step its respective drum, and calibrations upon each drum for visually indicating the value of the respective digit in the computed total, said counting device also comprising a two-positional flag member, a transfer connection between said Hag member and one of said stepping units, separate receiving circuits each individual to input signals representative of a different one of a plurality of input values, input connections between said receiving circuits and respective ones of said stepping units and said two-positional fiag member, the input values assigned by respective input connections to said two-positional flag member, said one of said stepping units and a second stepping unit serving to record the units digit of the computed total being 5, 10 and a whole number less than 5, respectively, said two-positional ag member being movable by a first signal applied thereto to a position visually indicating a 5 value and being movable from said indicating position upon receipt of a second signal applied thereto to transmit over said transfer connection a stepping signal to advance one step said tens digit stepping unit, and further transfer connections between each of said stepping units and the stepping unit recording the digit of the next higher order of the total, said transfer connection from said units digit stepping unit to the tens digit Istepping unit being made through said 5 value twopositional ag member.

6. A decimal counting device comprising a plurality of stepping -units each unit serving to record a respective digit of the computed total, each stepping unit having a rotatable indication drum, an electromagnetic device associated with said drum, an armature for each electromagnetic device, stepping means connected with each armature for rotating step by step its respective drum, and calibrations upon each drum for visually indicating the value of the respective digit in t-he computed total, said counting device also comprising a two-positional flag member, a transfer connection between said flag member and one of said stepping units, separate receiving circuits each individual to input signals representative of fa different one of a plurality of input values, input connections between said receiving circuits and respective ones of said stepping units and said two-positional ag member, the input values assigned by respective input connections to said two-positional flag member, said one of said stepping units and a second stepping unit serving to record the units digit of the computed total being 5, 10 and a whole number less than 5, respectively, said twopositional ag member being movable by a rst signal applied thereto to a position visually indicating a 5 value and being movable from said indicating position upon receipt of a second signal 'applied thereto to transmit over said transfer connection a stepping signal to advance one step said tens digit stepping unit, further transfer connections between each of said step-ping `units and the stepping unit recording the digit of the next higher order of the total, said transfer connection from said units digit stepping unit to said tens digit stepping unit being made through said 5 value two-positional tiag member, means for transmitting a signal from said units digit stepping unit to said 5 value two-positional flag member Whenever the computed total a-t least equals a further multiple of 5, and means for moving said 5 value two-positional ag member to said visual indicating position upon receipt of the first of any applied signal representative of a 5 value and every second such signal received thereafter and to relay every alternately received signal -as said stepping signal to the tens digit stepping unit while returning said twopositional flag member to normal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,340,435 5/1920 Bryce 23S-92 1,933,996 12/1929 Paris 235-92 3,112,068 11/1963 Harrkorn 23S-92 MAYNARD R. WILBUR, Primary Examiner.

G. MAIER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A STEPPING UNIT FOR A DECIMAL COUNTING DEVICE COMPRISING A FRAME, AN ELECTROMAGNET ON THE FRAME, A SHAFT ROTATABLE ON THE FRAME, AN ARMATURE FOR THE ELECTROMAGNET, MEANS CONNECTING THE ARMATURE WITH THE SHAFT FOR POTATING THE SHAFT STEP-BY-STEP, EACH INDIVIDUAL COMPLETE STEP OF SAID SHAFT REQUIRING A RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT OF SAID ARMATURE FROM A NORMAL POSITION TO AN OFF-NORMAL POSITION AND RETURN, A CALIBRATED DRUM ON THE SHAFT VISUALLY INDICATING A VALUE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STEPPED POSITION OF THE SHAFT, A PROJECTION ROTATABLE WITH SAID SHAFT, A CONTACT SPRING SET CARRIED UPON THE ARMATURE, AN ACTUATOR FOR SAID CONTACT SPRING SET ALSO CARRIED BY SAID ARMATURE AND LOCATED IN THE OFF-NORMAL POSITION OF SAID ARMATURE IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID PROJECTION FOR MOMENTARY EN- 